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Why? Friendship? Gratitude? Passion?
Though she often tried to block others’ thoughts, she peeked into Lucan’s Friendship, certainly, and gratitude by the bucketload, a bare hint of passion—and a welter of confusion She related to that
Slipping from his mind, she sent him a wan smile “Lead the way”
Lucan took her hand and led her downstairs to the dining room As he’d said, everyone was asse as ever olivia, hishand on the crown of her dark head Envy tore through Sabelle She ached for the sort of love and affection they shared Between her brother’s protective streak and her obligation to marry well, she wondered if she’d ever find it
“Are you all right?” Sydney asked gently
The human redhead stood beside her wizard lance that she didn’t have the energy to decipher
“Fine,” Sabelle reassured her “So”
“Coet back to Braestured her toward the spread of food on the sideboard Roasted hen, a flaky white fish, even a Beef Wellington, along with an array of vegetables and breads The gesture touched her all over again, pricking her eyes with tears
“Thank you soback the tears
“Eat” Lucan pushed her toward the food, then accepted a plate from Sydney and stood protectively behind Sabelle
She dished herself a few spoonfuls of food without looking at what she’d served herself It was all just nutrients to help her tend Bra else mattered
Behind her, all the others plated up Sabelle settled into her usual chair Lucan sat directly to her left Marrok and olivia settled in at the far end of the table Caden and Sydney plopped down beside Lucan The Doolueful thoughts blared past her rief over his intendedhis appetite Sabelle had no trouble understanding why
Beside her, Bram’s chair at the head of the table sat eain sit there hit her like a blow to the belly She lowered her fork and looked at her plate, now blurred through her tears
“Sabelle” Sirove, approached the table slowly
Until the formation of the Doomsday Brethren, Bram and Duke hadn’t known each other well, but despite his lofty huroup from day one
She took aborn a Rion, everyone expected her to lead by example, tamp down her fear, and move on Bram, most of all, would de
“I’m fine”
Duke nodded, dark hair looking uncoy, as he set his plate on the table and eased hie to jump up and rail at him He could not take her brother’s place!
“Would you rather sit here, or shall I?” he asked softly
The angry wind left her sails She took a deep breath, coroup needed a leader, and Duke occupying Bra to take the job
“You I’m no warrior, and I’ll have my hands full with Bram’s Council business”
He cast her a syaze, a silent promise of support, then looked down the table This was for the best Mathias eakened, but in no way defeated The Doo
Duke opened his mouth to speak when the last of the warriors sat down—directly across from her
Ice
Sabelle felt that intense green gaze of his fasten on her Oh God
Though fearso a member of the Doomsday Brethren Ice had been on his best behavior—around her, anyway Hardworking Polite Even-te and the naked want on his face tied her belly in knots He was a puzzle she was utterly compelled to solve
His fierce expressionoddly, he was one of the few people whoseas in his head drove her mad The one time Ice had put his arms around her to heal Sydney’s injured friend, Aquarius, had been overwhel Combustive
Forbidden
Not only born to the Privileged class ofto royalty in the reatest wizard of all time While Ice … well, the Rykards were not only Deprived, but disliked and distrusted—Ice more than h, Bram hated him with a boundless passion
Anything between her and Ice was impossible
“Is soers around her chilled ones
Ice’s fork clattered to his plate, his ht She didn’t need to read his ed across his face as he stared at her hand clasped in Lucan’s Her breath caught, and her first instinct was to pull away She checked it Nothing good could co an attraction between her and a man she could never have Better to let hied
She gripped Lucan’s hand in return, feeling his strength and fortitude
“I’m fine” Sabelle realized with a start that the entire table was staring, and she flushed “Truly Everyone eat”
Silence reigned for long moments No one spoke, and the dead air was painful often, Bram led the conversation—or dominated it, as was his wont The quiet now only reh to control the conversation again
Suddenly, Duke cleared his throat and addressed the group “No one can replace Bram, but someone must oversee our leadership while he recovers Does anyone else want the role?”
Marrok shook his head “I know not ickind’s people or how to help them in their time of need I possess not Bram’s diplomacy Those who impede our cause would feel only the hack of my blade, if I had my way”